Diesel and HVO dispensing tanks can be steel, plastic or plastic in steel construction. What are the benefits of choosing steel for your dispensing tank?
A vehicle fuel dispensing tank is a practical solution for many sectors, including agricultural and horticultural, construction and civil engineering, industrial, transportation and logistics. It enables bulk purchase of fuels such as diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) at more competitive rates and provides a convenient, on-site supply of fuel around the clock.
What is a fuel dispensing tank?
Vehicle fuel dispensing tanks are similar to the tanks used for fuel storage, with the difference that they also feature a means of dispensing the contents into the fuel tank of a vehicle, in a similar way to the pumps on a fuel station forecourt.
The dispensing equipment can be as basic as a fuel pump, hose and dispensing nozzle, or as sophisticated as a fuel management system with fuel flowmeters to measure delivery volumes and tank gauges to monitor fuel storage levels. The dispensing pump, hose and nozzle can be enclosed in a cabinet for fuel security or if the tank is sited in a reasonably secure location, more accessible for ease of use.
Diesel and HVO dispensing tanks are made in one of three ways: rotationally moulded plastic, a moulded plastic inner and welded steel outer (plastic in steel) and welded steel. Each construction method has its particular advantages and in this article, we look at the benefits of all-steel fuel dispensing tanks.
Fuel dispensing tanks can go larger in steel
One of the most obvious benefits of an all-steel dispensing tank construction is that it uses welded sheet steel, compared with plastic and plastic in steel construction, where the dimensions of the tank are limited by the size of the rotation moulding equipment.
Being able to manufacture steel dispensing tanks of any size makes them popular in industries operating a fleet of vehicles with heavy fuel usage, such as
- farms and agricultural contractors
- construction, demolition and civil contractors
- transport and logistics companies
- military & defence establishments
- quarries
- ports and airports
- public transport operators
Steel lets you have a dispensing tank that suits you
While plastic and plastic in steel fuel dispensing tanks are manufactured in a wide capacity range, they are again limited by fixed dimensions. If the optimum location for your diesel or HVO dispensing tank doesn’t match any of these, it’s easy enough to have a steel tank fabricated to your specifications and without the expensive moulds that would be required for a custom plastic tank.
Steel tank fabrication allows easy customisation of the tank design to include features such as steps, platforms and handrails for faster, safer and more efficient use.
You can also have a say in the choice of paint colour for your dispensing tank – brightly coloured to prevent accidental collisions, muted to blend in with its surroundings, or even mixed to a RAL colour reference to match your corporate brand.
Steel dispensing tanks are more secure
Fuel theft is on the increase, particularly in remote rural districts and industrial areas or construction sites which are less populated at night and at weekends.
While all fuel dispensing tanks can be fitted with security features to prevent or deter this crime, steel offers the greatest protection.
It’s harder, noisier and takes longer to break through steel than plastic, either to gain access to the cabinet enclosing the dispensing equipment or to penetrate the tank to siphon off the fuel. These factors act as a further deterrent to criminals and give valuable extra time for you or a security company to respond to an intruder alarm.
Steel tanks are stronger and more durable
Steel not only has a higher tensile strength than plastic – so damage and leaks are less likely to occur following minor impact – but is also more resistant to UV radiation in sunlight and extremes of temperature. These factors mean that a steel fuel dispensing tank is more likely to offer a longer service life when sited in a location more exposed to the elements.
Steel dispensing tanks are better for the environment
Choosing a fuel dispensing tank made of steel can also be a better choice for the environment, for several reasons:
- It reduces our reliance on plastics
- Its longer service life increases the intervals between tank replacement
- Less chance of leakage means the risk of environmental pollution is reduced
What does this mean for plastic and plastic in steel fuel dispenser tanks?
While steel fuel dispenser tanks offer a broad range of advantages, plastic and plastic in steel dispenser tanks also play a vital role in vehicle fuel management.
In particular, all-plastic dispenser tanks are cheaper and more lightweight, while plastic offers greater corrosion resistance; the plastic-in-steel combination offers the best of both worlds.
With such a choice available, it makes sense to discuss your requirements with Tanks-UK before making your decision as with our breadth of knowledge, experience in supplying all sectors and range of fuel dispensing options, we are sure to find the solution that best suits your requirements: call us on 01953 665940 or email info@tanks-uk.com.
